debut: 3/6/03
9,995 runs
Bridgetown June 25, 2025
Kensington Oval, once the mecca for fast bowlers in the region and an impregnable fortress of West Indies cricket, boasts a proud history. From its inaugural test in 1930 until the mid-90s West Indies were undefeated at the Oval save for a solitary loss to England in 1935. But the most unforgettable memories at the Oval are from the rivalry between West Indies and Australia during the second half of the 20 th century. From that epic Atkinson and Depeiaza match-saving partnership in 1955 to Brian Lara’s sensational match-winning performance to end the 90s decade, Kensington Oval has served up some mouthwatering contests during that period between these two giants of world cricket.
On Wednesday, the two teams will continue their storied rivalry that began 70 years ago in 1955 at Kensington Oval during Australia’s maiden tour of the region. That game is best remembered for the record-breaking 7 th wicket partnership of 347 runs between two Barbadians, skipper Dennis Atkinson (219) and Clairmont Depeiaza (122). In fact, six Barbadians played in that game including the 3 Ws and Gary Sobers. My dear friend, Tony Gilkes, then a wide-eyed 10 year old, was at the Oval that day. Gilkes would later go on to play for Spartan in the Barbados Division 1 in the late 60s sharing the dressing room with such illustrious teammates as Cammie Smith, David Holford, Peter Lashley, and Tony Howard. I spoke with Gilkes earlier this week about that game in 1955. “I remember a 19-year old Gary Sobers opening against the legendary Lindwall and Miller and smashing them all over the park", he told me. Sobers made 43 laced with 10 boundaries. It was just desserts for Lindwall and Miller who had earlier hit centuries in Australia’s first innings. But the fearsome Aussies struck back removing Sobers, the three Ws, and Collie Smith to leave West Indies tottering at 147 for 6 in reply to their total of 668. Enter Atkinson and Depeiaza and the rest, as they say, is history. Gilkes recalled, “Everyone thought the game was over and very few people came the next day to the Oval. The two of them batted for two days. No one could believe it!"
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